Last-mile delivery robotics company Refraction AI has raised US$4.2m (£3m) in seed round funding, which will be used for geographic expansion and product development throughout 2021.
The company’s REV-1 prototype has been built on a bicycle foundation to operate in bike lanes and on roads, rather than on pavements, thus eliminating street clutter issues.
REV-1 has a top speed of 15mph, enabling it to keep up with e-bikes. The vehicle’s perception system consists of 12 cameras as well as radar and ultrasound sensors.
According to the company, the package costs a fraction of the lidar sensors used in other autonomous delivery systems.
Luke Schneider, CEO, Refraction AI, said: “Last-mile delivery is the quintessential example of a sector that is ripe for innovation, owing to a powerful confluence of advancing technology, demographics, social values and consumer models.
“Conventional approaches have left businesses and consumers with few choices in this new environment as they struggle to keep pace with surging demand – burdened by the costs, regulatory, and logistical challenges of a legacy infrastructure.”
Refraction AI is currently trialling a small fleet of delivery bots in its native Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Schneider added: “Our platform uses technology that exists today in an innovative way, to get people the things they need, when they need them, where they live.
“And we’re doing so in a way that reduces business’ costs, makes roads less congested, and eliminates carbon emissions.”
